Muslims own shops and eateries in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh which are named after Hindu Deities

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) – “If Muslims name their shops after Hindu Deities during the Kanwar Yatra, many controversies may arise and many may object to it. Name it whatever you want, we don’t mind”. Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal in a meeting a few days ago appealed not to use the names of Deities. In this context, Zee News conducted a survey in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, revealing information about such shops and dhabas named after Hindu Deities by Muslim owners.

1. In Uttarakhand, many shops and dhabas are named ‘Vaishnodevi’, but the majority are owned by Muslims.

2. Kanwar pilgrims visit these joints for snacks or meals. A separate arrangement has been made for them, but the pilgrims are unaware that the employees preparing the food are Muslims.

3. When Zee News correspondent reached the Dehradun-Nainital highway in Bijnor, he found more than 20 dhabas named after Hindu Deities run by Muslims. To name a few – ‘Shri Khatu Shyam Dhaba,’ ‘Neelkanth Family Restaurant’, ‘Himalaya Dhaba,’ and ‘Shiva Dhaba’.

4. In Saharanpur (UP), many dhabas have the names of Hindu Deities. Muhammad Anas Siddiqui of ‘Janata Vaishno Dhaba’ claimed, “In the last 15 years, I have not faced any obstacles with this name”.

5. In Bareilly (UP), many Muslim-owned businesses have Hindu names, such as ‘Chaudhary Sweets’. This is to attract Hindus. Such dhabas and shops have been in operation for many years.

Editorial Perspectives

• Muslim fanatics look down upon Hindu Deities, yet they operate businesses using these very names for their own profit.
• In ‘Love Jihad’, Muslim youth conceal their identity by assuming Hindu names to attract Hindu girls. The Government now needs to enact laws against such practices !